As a state budget stalemate continues at the Capitol, State Senator Melinda Bush announced she will forgo her pay as a lawmaker if state workers go without paychecks beginning next week.

“Because of dysfunction in Springfield, hardworking state employees and critical programs for those who need assistance will go without the pay they were promised,” Bush said. “Meanwhile, state lawmakers can continue to draw paychecks. If other state employees miss their checks this coming week, I will do the same.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently used his veto powers to eliminate state worker pay and nearly every other part of the state budget that lawmakers approved in May. If some resolution isn’t reached soon, state workers could begin going without pay beginning next week.

If that happens, Bush would voluntarily go without pay. She has filled out the necessary paperwork to file with the state comptroller to ensure paychecks would not be deposited.

“If state workers are ordered to work for free and funding is denied to daycare providers like Dortha Rivers of Zion, I cannot accept my pay in good conscience,” Bush said. “Parents who work and rely on CCAP funding to afford services like hers are doing everything right. So are state workers who did nothing to cause this mess.”

With Bush’s support, the Illinois Senate approved an emergency, one-month budget last week that would ensure vital public safety personnel ranging from Illinois State Police to the Illinois National Guard are paid.

The Senate will return to session next week to potentially take additional action on a state budget plan.

SPRINGFIELD — Arguing in favor of emergency funds that would keep vital state services in place during ongoing 2016 budget negotiations, State Sen. Melinda Bush called on GOP Senators and Gov. Bruce Rauner to support a one-month provisional spending plan equal to about 2 percent of the state budget Wednesday.

“When people's lives are at stake, it's not the time for partisan politics. Every day we don’t come to an agreement, the work of the state goes undone, and the needs of Illinoisans go unmet. I've asked both sides to do the right thing and make sure that during these budget negotiations we keep vital services in place for people who are going to work, taking care of their children and elderly parents and trying to keep their bills paid.”

Senator Bush voted for a one-month provisionary budget that would have ensured ongoing services as lawmakers continue to negotiate a full 2016 budget. The measure passed the Illinois Senate without Republican support. It proceeds to the House for consideration.